1914 Star copy clasp 5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914 (L-13592 PTE W.PEACH.2/MIDDX.R.); British War Medal; (13592 PTE. W. PEACH. MIDD'X R.); Victory Medal (13592 PTE.W.PEACH.MIDD'X R.); Defence Medal; Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (S-10440 PTE. W.P. CHAMBERS R.A.S.C.)
William Peach aka Wilfred Peach Chambers was born in 1891 in Lambeth, London. He served with 2/Middlesex Regiment in France from 7.11.1914 and was WIA on 6.11.1915 and later transferred to the RASC with no ES/54943 on 26.1.1920.
He earned the Army LSGCM under the name Chambers and no. 10440. Why he changed his names is unknown. the Hampshire Telegraph of 2 December 1927 carried an article wherein he featured. Under the heading SERIOUS CHARGE DISMISSED - they wrote that:
"Lance Corporal Wilfred Peach Chambers, R.A.S.C., of 96 Married Quarters, Louisburg Barracks, was charged with exposure, with intent to insult a 12 year old girl at Binstead on Nov 25. The little girl gave evidence of the alleged offence, which she said took place in a bus travelling from Aldershot to Bordon. Defendant was sitting on the seat behind her. She made a complaint to a lady passenger, and went to sit with her. Mrs Bundy, manageress of the Bordon Wesleyan Soldiers Home, said the little girl had complained, and seemed agitated and white. William Humphreys, the Conductor, said a complaint was made to him by Mrs Bundy, and he reported the matter to the police.
Giving evidence under oath, the defendant said he disembarked from HMT Karmala from China in London at 3 a.m. on the day of the alleged offence. He landed in Aldershot about 3 p.m. and asked the sergeant major if he could go to Bordon to see his wife and family. Permission was granted, and he went by bus. Defendant demonstrated in court exactly how he sat in the bus. He was glad to relax his legs after so many hours travelling. There were other ladies in the bus, but no complaint was made to him. Nobody accused him of indecency and he was not detained. "I am a married man with four children, the last on being born whilst I was in China. That is why I cam home - on compassionate grounds. I had not been in the country 12 hours when this was supposed to have happened." The Magistrate dismissed the case.
Chambers was a Cutter (Printing) living at 63 Manor Way, Mitcham in 1939.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Comes with some copied research.
